How do you improve on “The Gold Standard” for nuclear threat detection and identification? ORTEC’s new Detective X high purity germanium (HPGe) “RIID” does exactly that with a combination of identification improvements, operational (conops) improvements, better interconnectivity capabilities, and longer battery life.

Detection and Identification Features

Larger HPGe crystal, three times more efficient than the Micro-Detective-HX.

Improved Algorithm that increases detection probability.

Comprehensive library of over 175 radionuclides including new radiopharmaceuticals.

Better standoff detection and ID capability.

Operational Improvements

Rugged Instrument designed for harsh environments (IP65 compliant).

Weight Significantly Reduced (about half of Detective-EX-100T).

Battery life doubled and batteries are hot swappable.

New Li6/ZnS Neutron Detector Module (NDM), no 3He required.

Bigger display screen, easily readable in sunlight.

Quality Improvements

New Stirling cooler with more cooling capacity and improved mean time between failures.

Designed with extremely hard polycarbonate case, making it both lighter and more rugged.

Enhanced Connectivity Options

System includes built-in Ethernet connection (RJ45).

USB Connection to PC is plug and play.

USB memory stick stores >100,000 spectra.

Mobile phone Interconnectivity and control of instrument for iOS, Android, and Windows platforms.

Detective X Algorithms
Beyond the intrinsic selectivity of the HPGe detector type, the ultimate performance in terms of the Detective X fidelity of identification depends on the software algorithms. ORTEC licensed the original Lawrence Livermore RadScout algorithm in 2003 and has made numerous improvements to it over the years. For example, as part of the DHS/DNDO HPRDS Program, ORTEC developed the Advanced HPRDS RIID (Micro-HPRDS) from 2008 to 2010. This algorithm advancement greatly improved ID capabilities and minimized false alarms. Over the past 10 years ORTEC has participated in a variety of test campaigns sponsored by DNDO, DoD/DTRA, IAEA, and DOE National Labs to continue to improve the algorithms and enhance the radionuclide library. The Detective X incorporates the latest algorithms in combination with the large 65 mm x 50 mm crystal, making it the most sensitive and most accurate RIID on the market. Further reductions in both false positive and false negative results have been achieved. When actionable intelligence is needed on a potential threat source, reachback experts need HPGe spectra. It is widely recognized as “The Gold Standard”.
Detective X Hardware Overview
ORTEC has more than 12 years of experience with HPGe RIIDs. Users from around the globe have provided input that has been integrated into the Detective X. The Detective X features compact, light weight and rugged hardware. A large 40% efficient (65 mm x 50 mm) HPGe crystal in a “hardened” cryostat is cooled by an integrated low-power Stirling-cycle cryocooler. The Detective X features a new cooler, offering a greater lift capacity. The hardened cryostat is entirely free of a conventional molecular sieve, allowing the instrument to be turned off or on at any point in the detector cool down or warm up cycle without risk. ORTEC is the only manufacturer that offers this functionality in a handheld HPGe RIID.

A built-in digital MCA system and powerful data processor are included. The Detective X features a bright VGA resolution display, readable in direct sunlight, with a touch sensitive operator screen. The operation of the Detective X is highly intuitive. The radionuclide gamma-ray spectrum may be displayed and manipulated (e.g., vertical scale, zoom) like a conventional multichannel analyzer. Gamma count rate, neutron flux, and gamma dose rate are displayed continuously.

The Detective X in Use: Overview

A high-resolution, sunlight readable, color touchscreen as the standard method to operate the system and enter data such as passwords and alarm limits.

Alternatively, three buttons on the top of the unit, Power, Navigate (N) and Select (S), can also be used for survey and sampling operations.

Audio-visual feedback:

An audio alarm can be used with the Bluetooth headphone. A vibration alarm is provided in the handle.

Indicators at the top of the screen show the current dose rate in mrem/hr (or µSv or µGy). An icon is shown if the instrument has a fix on a GPS (green) or no fix on a GPS (red). Icons also show the status of MFK, Bluetooth, LCX Mode stabilizer status (when disabled) and WiFi (connected or not connected).

When radiation is detected and identified, the identification is posted to the real-time identification area of the screen. This area lists the names of any radioisotopes currently being detected.

Modes of Operation

Detect Mode Operation
Detect mode is used to locate and identify sources. In this mode, the instrument is continuously “looking” but not storing data. The “Detect Mode” screen shows the detector count rate and dose rate. It is also the search mode and monitoring mode.

The “Detect Mode” screen displays “Signal Index” and “SNM Index” strip charts in the middle of the screen. The strip charts update every half second. They are real time indicators of the presence of radioactive material. The strip charts will sometimes show an increase before identifications appear on the screen.

A Survey always begins with a Detect mode measurement. The Detective X is set to automatically start in Detect Mode.

Identify Mode Operation
This mode is used to identify radionuclides by counting an object or area of interest from a stationary position for an extended period of time. Data is acquired for a preset time period or until the acquisition is stopped.

The identify mode can operate in “single” spectrum mode or in “multiple spectrum analysis” mode. The mode is selected by the administrator. Single spectrum mode starts a spectrum collection and performs a radionuclide identification as the spectrum is collected. In multiple spectrum mode, background, known, and unknown spectra are collected, automatically packaged, and sent to reachback.

The preset is real time. During this time, radionuclide IDs are displayed by nuclide name on the screen. The operator can view the spectrum in real time or can display the ten most intense gamma-ray lines in the spectrum during the identification period.

The Detective X and Background Radiation — No more NORM alarms
The Detective X uses the background measurements saved on the instrument to recognize and suppress NORM Identifications unless the NORM material is at a significantly higher level than the stored background.

The Detective X and Digital Stabilization — Making the best of it
Although a digital germanium spectrometer is a highly stable instrument, even with varying temperatures, the Detective X is designed for use in conditions that could be considered extreme. An automatic gain stabilizer system “locks onto” the natural background K-40 peak (if present) to ensure “perfect” calibration is maintained even in conditions of harsh handling. The stabilizer is “smart.” If K-40 is not found in the spectrum, the gain stabilizer will be turned off. Also, the user can choose to disable the stabilizer and proceed directly to ID measurements to minimize setup time in mission critical scenarios.

Nuclide Library
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The Detective X has a very comprehensive nuclide list. A subset of the entire nuclide library is the default “Threat Isotopes”; these are marked in RED. The advanced user is able to add any of the nuclides marked in GREEN to the list of red-marked threat isotopes. The color coding in the table shows the default background screen colors and visual alarms the instrument will present when these nuclides are encountered.

Specifications
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“Hardened” cryostat, with high-reliability, low-power Stirling cooler. The cryostat design is such that the Detective X may be switched off at any time and power subsequently re-applied, without having to wait for a full thermal cycle (full warm up before cool down). This feature greatly increases system availability during measurement campaigns.

Cool Down Time

The high reliability cooler is designed for continuous operation. Between making measurements the unit is powered from a DC supply, car battery or other device. Initial cool down time depends on ambient temperature, but is typically 8 hours at 25°C.

Gamma Dose Rate Detector

Three detectors determine the gamma dose rate over a wide range from <0.05 mR/h to >100 R/h, a dose-rate range of over six decades. Instrument switches between the three automatically.

Neutron Detector Module

The optional neutron detector is a large volume segmented lithium-6 fluoride/zinc sulfate (Li6F/ZnS) detector that is ANSI N42.34 2015 compliant.

IP65 Sealed against ingress of dust and water. All perforations are sealed by rubber plugs (connectors, memory cards, etc.)

Communication Software

The Detective X is a member of the ORTEC CONNECTIONS family. Remote MCA control, even over a network, is achieved simply by the use of ORTEC CONNECTIONS products such as MAESTRO MCA Emulation software.

Multiple spectra may be block-transferred from the instrument controller to an external PC via the USB connection. The Detective X appears as a flash drive when connected to a laptop or PC. Exported files are in the N42 format and may be read by many programs used by Reachback teams such as CAMBIO and PeakEasy and by ORTEC software products such as GammaVision.

Detective X is equipped with IEEE 802.11b wireless and Bluetooth, allowing the Detective X to be used with cell phones, laptops, and remote computer systems. The Detective X is ready to use with MFK software, ORTEC GammaVision software, iOS devices (iPhone®, iPAD) and Android® devices.

Mobile MCB Server

The Mobile MCB Server software application enables the Detective X to communicate wired or wirelessly with ORTEC software applications such as MAESTRO, GammaVision, and Detective-Remote®.

Users can develop their own applications through the use of the optional A11 tool kit.